Alright alright, I don't know if anyone cares or not or if I'm better off asking elsewhere, but has anyone as of recently, experienced crashes when using the degreaser? I'd light someone on fire, then switch to axe or postal pumbler, and crash(freeze?)? It's pretty much that simple. I don't use any HUD mods or skins. Never added anything to the original files, and I've just reinstalled the game. I've tried dxlevel 8 and 9 hoping that something graphically was the problem, it's not. Any other recommendations? I'm not sure if this is just the degreaser, or a problem with all the flamethowers. Its only happened as of recently, three or four days ago.

Well I wouldn't rule out that it doesn't have to do with graphics just because you changed the direct X version. Your graphics card may simply not be able to handle that instance for some reason. It could be a number of things, but before ruling out that gfx is the problem, try to lower all graphics settings and see how it works. Also if you have antialiasing on or bilinear/trilinear filtering, try shutting it off or vice versa.

Do you get a crash message? what exactly happens on the crash?

Check your task list to make sure you're not running to many programs at once which can lower performance and cause crashes. Try running the game with only necessary background processes running.

I'm currently using a 570 GT nvidia card, which is outdated yes, but can easily handle tf2 with directx 9 on low graphics, and i've always turned anti antialiasing sent to 'none' and have always had it sent to bilinear filtering. Like I said this was as of recently, never before. Was hoping someone might be able to help put out a quote from the recent patch that might have caused this problem.

aye just tried again, everything set to disabled, low, you name it. The thing is, this is only when I'm in melee range and switch to the axtinguisher or postal pumbler. If the enemy is out of melee range, it doesn't crash

I'm experiencing exactly the same problem. on my case i dont use degreaser i use ordinary flame thrower..... it doesnt matter what i play mvm or normal It crashes everytime...... As you have said I have tried disabling and put all settings on low aswell. It doesnt work..... :(

aye just tried again, everything set to disabled, low, you name it. The thing is, this is only when I'm in melee range and switch to the axtinguisher or postal pumbler. If the enemy is out of melee range, it doesn't crash

Same problem too, although it usually doesn't make me crash, but it makes me stutter for a second, enough to miss the shot.